On January 3, 2022, a snowstorm hit the eastern seaboard of the United States, leaving a large amount of cargo stranded. The blizzard severely affected U.S. port operations, with a large number of ships unable to berth and offshore on time, resulting in cargo backlogs and delays. According to reports, some goods were even forced to cancel the export plan, which had a considerable impact on the global ** chain. The snowstorm caused traffic paralysis, power outages, and airport closures in parts of the United States, causing great inconvenience to people's daily lives.
In November 2021, the temperature of the Arctic Ocean plummeted due to the influence of cold air, nearly 30 centimeters of ice formed over the sea, about 24 ships ran aground off the coast of Russia, and the Northern Sea Route was also closed due to ice, and Russia had to send icebreakers to rescue ships.
Extreme weather conditions such as heavy snowfall, cold waves, strong winds, freezing rain and snow, and dense fog in winter have had a significant impact on the shipping industry. These weather phenomena can cause vessels to fail to operate properly, delay transit times, and may even cause safety incidents. This article examines the impact of these weather phenomena on maritime transport and proposes countermeasures.
1. Increased difficulty of navigation:Visibility is reduced, which affects the safety of the vessel's navigation. The risk of traffic accidents such as collisions and groundings increases.
2. The difficulty of ship maintenance increasesIn cold weather, the maintenance and upkeep of the boat becomes more difficult. For example, some lubricants and fuels can become viscous or solidify at low temperatures, leading to wear and failure of mechanical components. In addition, low temperatures can also cause damage to the vessel's cooling system, which in turn can affect the performance of the engine.
3. Increased personnel safety risks: In the weather of heavy snow, cold wave and strong winds, the working environment on the ship becomes worse, which increases the work burden and safety risks of the crew. For example, a crew member can be injured by slipping or falling while working on deck, and working long hours in icy weather can also lead to physical discomfort or illness.
4. Reduced energy efficiency: In cold weather, the energy efficiency of ships may be reduced. For example, when a boat is navigating icy waters, it may need more fuel to maintain speed and stability. In addition, some vessel equipment may be less efficient at low temperatures, resulting in wasted energy.
5. Communication and navigation equipment affected: In extreme weather conditions such as heavy snow, cold wave and high winds, the communication and navigation equipment of ships may be affected. For example, satellite navigation systems may have unstable signals due to high winds or heavy snowfall, and communication between ships may also be interrupted due to bad weather.
In order to cope with these impacts, shipping companies and relevant agencies need to take a series of countermeasures, including snow clearance, frost protection, enhanced inspections and maintenance, etc. These measures will help to ensure the safety and efficiency of vessels, thereby providing strong support for the stable development of the maritime industry.
1.Increased vessel maintenance: Conduct a comprehensive inspection and maintenance of the vessel before the onset of winter to ensure that its mechanical components and equipment can function properly in cold weather. At the same time, in cold weather, the frequency of inspection and maintenance of ships should be increased to find and solve potential problems in time.
2. Provide safety guarantees: provide necessary safety measures for the crew, such as providing cold-proof clothing, strengthening deck anti-skid measures, etc. In addition, the working hours of the crew should be reasonably arranged to avoid working in harsh environments for a long time. In extreme weather, the ship should be docked in a sheltered port or in the wrong place, try to avoid sailing, and if it is necessary to sail, necessary protective measures should be taken, such as reducing the speed of the ship, adjusting the route, etc.;At the same time, the inspection and maintenance of the ship should be strengthened to ensure that its structure and equipment are not damaged.
3.Reasonable arrangement of cargo transportation: In view of the cold weather conditions, the necessary protective measures are carried out for the goods. For example, for goods that are susceptible to temperature, the appropriate mode of transport and packaging materials should be chosen. At the same time, the loading and stacking of goods should be reasonably arranged to avoid damage caused by the displacement or damage of the goods 4Improving energy efficiency: Improving energy efficiency by optimizing the vessel's route, increasing speed, etc. In addition, new energy technologies can be considered to reduce energy consumption and carbon emissions.
5.Enhance backup of communications and navigation equipment: To prevent the failure of communication and navigation equipment in extreme weather conditions, backup and troubleshooting capabilities for these devices should be enhanced. At the same time, equipment inspection and maintenance should be carried out regularly to ensure its normal operation.